A city man allegedly raped and choked his girlfriend at his home near Saratoga Race Course Sunday morning and then led police on a lengthy chase that only ended when he lost control of his car and barrelled into the woods.

Anthony C. Smith, 24, was charged with first-degree rape and other crimes after a dangerous chase across three towns and eventually back into the city, authorities said.

The chase began outside the race course, near the corner of Nelson and Gridley avenues. It was just before 7:15 a.m. when Smith's girlfriend was spotted near the intersection "visibly distraught" and looked like she had just been attacked, Lt. John Catone said.

The woman, who was not identified, told cops that Smith had beaten and choked her at his Nelson Avenue home, police said. When officers went to Smith's house he allegedly ran out the door and got into a vehicle.

Smith then began to evade cops down South Broadway, the city's main thoroughfare. The chase continued south on Route 9 into Malta, where Smith turned left on Old Post Road and then turned quickly onto Northline Road and then onto Route 50, taking him and police into Ballston Spa, Catone said.

With police surrounding him and trying to stake out his next move, Smith kept weaving through town roads, drawing his pursuers to Rowland Street and into Milton, police said. Smith then sped down Geyser Road, crossed Route 29 and went back into Saratoga Springs on Petrified Sea Gardens Road. Smith snaked down Hickcock Hill Road, then turned east on to Route 9N and headed back toward the city, Catone said.

After taking a right onto Kirby Road, Smith sped south for a few blocks until he lost control of his car near the intersection with Route 29. Smith's car went into the woods there and he was taken into custody.

The chase ended around 7:56 a.m., about three miles from where it began.

No one was hurt in the chase, and aside from Smith's car no property was damaged, Catone said.

With the city bustling at the peak of the Saratoga Race Course season, if Smith had tried to evade police just a few hours later there probably would have hundreds more people driving on or walking near the city streets where the chase occurred, police said.

"In that respect, we were very lucky," Catone said. "This happened early enough where the streets were mostly clear."

Smith's motive for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend was not clear. Citing the rape charge, Catone said police would not be disclosing many details.

In addition to rape, Smith was charged with assault, obstruction of breathing, unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and fleeing police, all misdemeanors. A conviction on the rape charge against Smith carries a potential 25-year prison sentence.